Liverpool's Lucas Leiva closing in on Napoli move

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has decided to leave the club and join up with former boss Rafa Benitez at napoli, according to reports in the English media.

The Brazilian has seen his first-team chances at Anfield stutter in recent times and the new arrival of German Emre Can from Leverkusen has threatened his position further, prompting the Benitez's interest in the 27 year-old.

A fee of around €12.5 million has been mooted for Lucas, who has been playing in England since 2007.

Seven years ago, he moved to Anfield from Gremio as a 20 year-old prospect whom much was thought of by the Liverpool management, but a rotten run of luck with injuries has always hampered his progress in England.

Despite an inconsistent club career, Lucas has managed to win 24 Brazil caps to date, although he was not thought to be in contention at any point for his country's recent World Cup campaign.